"I must deal with you for 33 counts of what can only be described as a persistent and planned dishonesty over a significant period of time.

"The financial gain from that series of activities is comparatively modest, to the tune of something in the order of £11,000.

"The most significant factor of this tragic case is that you were a chief inspector of police with Surrey Constabulary. That feature cannot and should not be ignored by the court.

"By your criminal activities you have brought disgrace on the uniform you once wore and you have brought shame upon the force you once served, and tarnished, generally speaking, the reputation of the police service."

"I cannot overlook that feature as a seriously aggravating matter. Taken with the persistence of your criminality, the sentence I must pass has got to make an example of you to others to show this sort of behaviour by serving police officers will be thoroughly disapproved of by this court and society.

"Your children will suffer as a result. In many aspects of your life you've shown great concern for others. It was all the evidence at your trial that painted a different picture of you.

"I have considered the character evidence. You are a highly talented woman and a highly intelligent woman. You put this to good use in helping others.

"But the fact of the matter is committing these offences at a period of time as a police officer makes the matter serious.

"There's an element to show that you bluffed, if not bullied your way through criminal enterprises.

"The fact remains that your dishonesty, as a serving police officer, is a factor which I will be failing in my duty if I did not punish you accordingly for."

Brookes was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court

"On any level this was a confidence fraud by the degree of planning and multiple transactions.

"There must be a prison sentence and substantial one. For the first indictment, there will be a prison sentence of two-and-a-half years for all charges, which will be run concurrently.

"For the second indictment, you pleaded guilty late in the day and I give you a discount of 10%. On this indictment you will serve 27 months on all charges concurrently.

"All sentences will be concurrent. You will go to prison for a total of 30 months which is two-and-a-half years.